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Great Job ladies at WVU! Everyone did a fantastic job and so many great memories were made. Once again good job this weekend and good luck to lauren and jessie at zones!

Keep up the good work this semester KUET, when we work together as a team we can accomplish anything! Thank you to both of our awesome and dedicated coaches for making the Fall 2007 semester a memorable one!

I would like to extend my thanks to "Coach" Sue Casale and Deb Koneski for stepping up to the plate and guiding our dedicated women and men of the KUET to great success for the 2007-2008 season. "I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." Robert Frost.

For the last 6 years I've known Rock N Ridge Stables to be an organized and well managed farm. With their recent relocation, they've handled the move well, and have made (and are still constructing) yet another great farm for their horses to live at. Debbie has been riding and training Western for years now, and anyone who knows her, knows she rides and coaches with 110% effort, and it shows in the riders she works with. She will be a great addition to the KU Equestrian Team, and I'm sure all of us on the team will be more than happy to welcome her as our new Western coach.

I am an incoming freshman this year and I'm planning on joining the KU equestrian team. I currently board my horse at the team's new hunter barn. The barn itself is absolutely beautiful and has a very pleasurable atmosphere. It is an all around great riding facility. Also, there are so many nice lesson horses there that offer a wide variety for the team to ride. I also ride with Sue who is going to be coaching the team this year. She is a great riding instructor and will be a really great coach for the team. She has so much to offer and will take all the girls far in their riding. I know this because she has helped me, and my horse, both improve tremendously. I was not sure if I was going to ride in college but because of the location the team will be riding at, and the coach, I decided it will be great experience that I want to be part of. I honestly think this is great opportunity for the team and it is going to bring good things and fun times to the KUET.
~Kaitlin :)

I am a starting freshmen, and was swayed to come to Kutztown one because they had an equestrian team and horses are a big part of my life and one of y only interests but two is that the new coach Sue Casale has been there for me for the past 18 years of my life and every step of my horseback riding career. With her guidance and opinions i have accomplished so much, and have broaden my skills and abilities. This has happened due to her knowledge not only of horses but of working with people. She cares about every little detail and has strived to bring out the best in every one of her students. She really is dedicated to safety and proper riding for instance she will never put you in a situation that you couldn't can but she pushes you to new limits so you can become a better equestrian. Personally she is one of the best instructors I have seen at any show. I especially have had the privilege of working with her my whole live and have really enjoyed it. I believe that there is alot of success in the future for KUET.

Simply put, I would not be who I am today without the KUET. I grew so much as an individual and a team rider. When I joined the KUET in 2001, I had never heard of the IHSA. By the end of my eligibility, I had 7 semesters as the KUET secretary, an unforgettable ride at the 2004 IHSA Nationals and I was the 2004 Z3R4 Novice Flat Champion. Absolutely none of this would have been possible without the dedication of our coach, Bruce Lachiusa, who was more often a father figure to our team family. Now as an Alumni rider for Kutztown, I thank all the team members and most of all Bruce for getting me to the next level and making sure I got there with the perfect heel and spotless boots! I am already looking forward to the next show season and I will see you all there.

~Abby T

Outstanding job by the KU Equestrian Team @ SaddleBrook!! It's great to see such a close knit team. Good Luck!! Christine, we are so proud of you! Good Luck @ Nationals!!!
Love, Dad&Mom

I, along with Mindy, was a 1998 graduate of KU, and president of the team during my senior year. I just stumbled across this website while reminiscing one day, and it's great to see that the team is doing so well! Bruce is a great coach, and I'm glad he's still coaching the KUET. I live in Charlotte, NC now and have a 16 month old daughter named Allison. Just wanted to say hello, and wish you all great times and good luck this year!
Nicki Chaffier-Hoffman

I graduated this past May (2005) and I am already missing the team. It's back to school time and I am itching to show. I came into Kutztown as a transfer and rode on the team for the three years I was at KU. I never met such an eclectic and fun group of people. Not only did Bruce mold me into a better rider, he and the team molded me into a better person. So ladies (and gents?) watch the potty mouths, keep the fun going, and have a kick *** season!!

I am a 1998 graduate of KU and rode on the team for all four of my crazy years there. Just so you girls on the team know, Bruce fought me tooth and nail to become coach of this team back in 1997. We had no coach, and I was going to Regionals. So he reluctantly took the "temporary" coach position. He has been one of the best influences on my life and I hope that you too can appreciate all that he does for you on and off the saddle. He took me all the way to nationals the next year to compete in the Cacchione Cup. An experience I will never forget. And everyone said, "Where the heck is Kutztown?" Now through Bruce's dedication and knowledge everyone at Nationals is probably saying, "Oh no, it's Kutztown again!" Go get 'em girls!!
Mindy Velasco-McCaulley

I rode for KU during 1987-1990. Back then we had about 14 girls riding and we competed against a much larger region-(Penn State, Wilson College and Indiana University of PA-gotta love those road trips!!) Then the IHSA split the region in half. We had a very small western team (5 people) and very few schools to compete in Western shows-we rode mostly English horses that did not neck rein!! But we had a lot of fun doing it. Believe it or not Carson Kressley from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy rode for KU on the stock seat team!!

For those who are reluctant to try out for the team because of your "ability" I say go for it!! I had soo much fun even though I started out in the Advanced Beginner Walk trot (couldn't figure out the diagonals for the life of me!) and Walk Jog. You learn soo much. Your teammates will get you through anything. My last ride of my IHSA career my girth broke and I fell off-My teammates were there cracking jokes and supporting me.
To the KU team-I wish you the best of luck.

Kim Murray

Hi, I am a 1963 graduate of KU and a member of the KU Athletic Hall of Fame (football.) Today 2/19/05, I was at the Booth Corners Farmers Market and saw a group of your team members with their jackets and hats. I pointed to them and told them I also went to KU. We all giggled and moved on. Curiously, I later went online and found your website. I think it is TERRIFIC what you are doing. It also looks like you are having a ball doing it. This is a word of praise and encouragement to "keep on keeping on!" I love KU and am proud of both you, your program and the school. You have my highest congratulations and respect.
Sincerely, Bill Wiggins, KU Class of '63

Hi! I'm only a senior in high school, but am very interested in KU for my college.... I was worried that I wouldn't be involved in anything but then I saw the Equestrian Club. I haven't had that much experience but know enough of the basics. I was still hesitant on considering joining though, afraid that I would be holding the team down by my skill level, but your website changed my mind. It is an excellent site and I can't wait to join the team in Fall 2005 (if I get accepted!).... thanks so much for the info on the site!!!
Bethany Petrozza

As a non-traditional student I was hesitant about joining a club. The doubts that I had were quickly dissolved when I met the team. Everyone was very nice and extremely fun to be with. The lessons and road trips still make me laugh. I learned a great deal about horses and this has furthered my interest and love of the horse. The experiences of going and riding at Nationals is something that rivals my wedding day. The combination of excitement, nerves and wanting to scream are etched in my mind. The training and the team work that were so integral and were so fluid is a credit to Bruce, for demanding the best and treating us like the best.

The KUET has made this year so memorable and worthwhile for me. My decision to wait and join team this year instead of last year has been the biggest mistake. The team has given me such a wonderful connection to the school and has allowed me to meet a great group of people. I am passionate about riding and even more passionate about this team. We have had such a rewarding year and I cannot wait to enjoy the rest of my time at school and with the KUET!

Hey, I love the web page and am looking forward to next fall. I just made my decision today. I will be attending KU next year as a freshman and can't wait to join the Equestrian Team!!!
-Casey Adkinson

Thank you guys for your wonderful work. I ride western for Cal U and I am very glad to have competition like you guys, it keeps us all on our toes. Keep up the great work, and see you all at Regionals!
-Sarah Wells